Gov. Ricketts, administration plead for community cooperation

LINCOLN, Neb. — With Nebraska continuing to surge toward daily COVID-19 rates, Gov. Pete Ricketts and members of his administration appealed to the state to practice safe behaviors leading into the holidays. Nebraska had 698 hospitalizations on Wednesday, and the state has had back-to-back weeks of record deaths.

“It’s obvious we’re heading in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Gary J. Anthone, the state’s chief medical officer. Anthone said the state’s primary strategy has been about maintaining hospital capacity, but he said there’s much more to the situation after speaking with hospital workers across the state.

“They said, ‘We cannot surge our way out of this pandemic by just finding ways to increase hospital beds or staffing,’” Anthone said. “They say, ‘It’s critical we prevent these hospitalizations.’”

Anthone also noted that the state has benefited from the CARES Act, as the state has been able to hire additional medical workers such as travel nurses. He said that additional support is also necessary from the community.

“Our behaviors do matter, and our choice matter,” Anthone said. “We need to band together as Nebraskans. We need to be responsible for ourselves and therefore others in our state.”

Ricketts and his staff announced suggestions for workplaces allowing employees to work from home, avoiding meetings and office congregation, and limiting holiday gatherings. Jason Jackson, Director of Administrative Services and Chief Human Resources Officer, noted that state offices have begun limiting in-person staffing to 50% where possible, and he encouraged private businesses to do the same when capable.

Despite the pleas from Gov. Ricketts and his staff, no new actionable policies were announced at the Thursday press conference.

“It’s about getting back to the tools and the behaviors that keep this state safe,” Ricketts said.